Portrait of Thomas Edison while a Telegrapher for Grand Trunk Western Railroad, circa 1865

01

Artifact Overview

As a young man, Thomas Edison worked as an itinerant telegrapher for various railroads, as well as Western Union and the Associated Press. Some of his earliest inventions were in the field of telegraphy. This portrait shows Edison at about 18 years of age, during his time as a telegrapher with the Grand Trunk Western Railroad.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

circa 1865

Collection Title

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

84.1.1630.P.B.37330

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 10 in
Width: 8.25 in

Portrait of Thomas Edison while a Telegrapher for Grand Trunk Western Railroad, circa 1865